Vettaiyan is one of those rare films that have brought Amitabh Bachchan and Rajinikanth together on screen. Fans are not the only ones excited to see the two legends together 33 years after Hum (1991). Actor-producer Harman Baweja says their reunion was a big reason why he came on board to distribute the film’s Hindi version.

“It’s a once-in-three-decade phenomenon. It’s one for generations to watch,” exclaims Baweja. T J Gnanavel’s directorial prowess assured Baweja that the action drama, also starring Fahadh Faasil and Manju Warrier, would be a solid cinematic experience

 “I had watched T J Gnanavel’s Jai Bhim [2021] and knew this director was special. He is a solid storyteller,” he says.

After making his acting debut with Love Story 2050 (2008) and starring in a few forgettable films, Baweja made an acclaimed comeback to the screen with Scoop last year. But he is clear that acting isn’t his top priority now.

“The focus is Baweja Studios. That is where I am at, for the next few months,” says the producer, who is collaborating with Richie Mehta on his next film, Boy From Andaman. “Collaborating with Richie has been brilliant. He has one of the strongest visions as a filmmaker. I remember watching Delhi Crime [2019] and going, ‘Wow! Who’s this guy?’ The idea is to make a film that’s Indian at heart, but with a creator like Richie, it has the legs to travel internationally.”

Last October, Rajinikanth had set the internet ablaze when he shared a picture with Amitabh Bachchan, expressing his joy to work with his “mentor” for director T J Gnanavel’s Vettaiyan. Seven months on, the two cinema legends have reunited in front of the camera, much to their fans’ joy. While it is known that Rajinikanth would begin the action drama’s Mumbai schedule from May 2, mid-day has learnt that on his first day, he shot with Bachchan at St Xavier’s College in Fort.

A source from the production team tells us, “Rajini sir and Bachchan sir started filming early in the morning at St Xavier’s College. The team shot till late afternoon. After a break, Gnanavel had lined up another sequence that went on till 6 pm.” While the prestigious institution served as the location yesterday, the team will move to a suburban venue for the next few days.

“Starting Friday, they will film at Thakur College in Kandivali. Bachchan sir and Rajini sir’s combination scenes have been scheduled for this week. Considering the two megastars are shooting together, one can imagine the hysteria it can create among fans. The team has put stringent security measures in place to ensure that crowds are kept at bay.” The actors last collaborated on Hum (1991).